Poll: Why the hate for Dragonforce?

[kaziard]

i used to like them untill i realised how repetitive it gets lol, theyre still ok but i listen to them rarely now. One thing about them, however good their music is the normally put on a crap live show, gettin wasted beforehand proper rockers

 

[Stevedave00]

Speed metal is horrid.

 

[chumpzilla_69]

Until they include both Jake AND Elwood Blues in their lineup, then my veiws remain the same... They're bad!

 

[MusicalFreedom]

Speed metal is horrid.

speed metal is a middle-ground between heavy metal and thrash such as Motorhead or some Judas Priest, dragonforce is sped-up power metal how could you not know this

it is an easy distinction sarcastic posting in da house

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

Yes they are repetative, nut they are amazing live

 

[GRoXERs]

Musically, Dragonforce remind me of Visual Kei, but without the image. I don't mind them. I think people dislike them because:

1. Lots of fast playing makes them feel inferior as guitarists

2. The singer has an old-school operatic power metal voice like Ronnie James Dio, which is perceived these days as a bit "girly" compared to most modern metal styles which have more of a growl or scream thing happening

3. Dragonforce have trouble executing their music live sometimes because of its complexity, and also have difficulty being interesting performers to watch onstage for the same reason. They are essentailly a studio creation.

4. Their lyrics seem pretty cliched and thoughtless. They're clearly only there so the singer has something to sing, they don't really communicate much. You could generate a HTML program to generate random Dragonforce style lyrics easily enough. Just get it to randomise words like "freedom" "power" "fight" "fire" "thunder" "pain" "forever" etc, add a few connecting words and there you go.

In a sense, this makes the band seem somewhat like a parody of themselves. But I think that's the point. They are in essence a cartoon of themselves. Which is where the "computer game" connection comes in. Dragonforce are a fantasy metal band with everything taken to the nth degree, and all the cliche poured on REALLY heavily on PURPOSE, just like Gears Of War is a macho action shooter with a "bigger is better" approach. Some people can't handle this "ironic hyper-reality" approach. Personally I like it - what I get from Dragonforce when I hear it is a sense of FUN and the idea that the guys are having a damn good time making this music. You can see it in the album sleeve photos where they're not trying to be tough guys, they're just posing stupidly with silly grins. It's a little bit "spinal tap" and I think that's a good thing. They have their tongues firmly lodged in their cheeks and are all the better for it.

And of course it all sounds the same, that's the style. Complaining about that is like listening to Bob Marley and saying "hey, it's all reggae, why doesn't he mix it up a little and throw in a metal number".

This, but I disagree with point 1, as I don't play guitar and have no desire to.
They are meant to be liked ironically, and it's people who like them unironically I have a problem with - they don't get the joke.

That being said, their music kinda sucks. The lyrics are, as has been noted, vapid, and only the lead guitarist is what I might describe as good.

Oh, and not being able to play your own songs live is kinda a strong indicator that your band sucks.

 

[ItsAChiaotzu]

I like them, but they are sold under false pretenses, using sticato to make it sound like they are playing faster than they are, and also use keyboards that sound like guitars... and also, guitar hero kinda made people think it was harder than it is.

Ok what the hell, you wouldn't use stAcatto to make is sound like your playing faster because it breaks up the notes, you would usually use legato, as Dragonforce do most of the time, that first little bit you said reeked of trying to sound musically intelligent.

And I agree about GH.

People hate Dragonforce because they are fake, they speed up their songs in studio and they can't play live, and they're just.... ridiculously stupid.

 

[JetFire62]

Their music is repetitive, they are terrible live, it's all studio magic, just because you shred the hell out of your guitar doesn't mean you're a guitar god *cough* Yngwie Malmsteen *cough* Good music comes from great musical talent, and great songwriting, which many bands these days are terribly lacking. The only active bands I can truly believe that invest in songwriting are Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Bullet For My Valentine, Rush; the list can go on forever. The songwritng is the soul of music, that's why Led Zeppelin is the most epically beautiful music I've ever heard. Unless they get their shit together and invest in the songwriting, all they'll be remembered for when they disappear is Through The Fire And Flames.

 

[Macgyvercas]

I thought "Through the Fire and Flames" was awesome

 

[xHipaboo420x]

They're not overtly my 'thing', but I was a big fan when I was younger, and I don't have a problem with them now. It's fun music.

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

I do get that some people think they're repetitive, but why does it call for hate and stupid profanity? Every DF video, 90% claim that they suck. When will people learn to be more respectful and less judgemental? Oh, and while I'm on it, a little survey on what the Escapists think of them.

They can't play as fast live as they do on albums.

They've also tricked alot of younger guitar players into thinking it's all about how fast you can play the same four notes over and over.

 

[Lyri]

I like it, mostly because it's silly and crazy fast.

But apparently they're awful live and get out of time with one another. That's why some people dislike them.

But hey, they're a studio band, not a concert band.

This.

They're just techincality whores, the song may not call for a three week long solo but by christ will they put one in, have a flashy video with lens flares, whilst they chill with beer & m&ms.

Personally I think they should leave music alone and go do something else.

 

[Mozared]

I saw them live in Oxford, and they were amazing. One of the best gigs I've been to. However, I would probably never buy their music because it's repetitive and being incredibly skilled at guitar does not mean that you can make good music.

That. They've basically got one part of the musical quality completely nailed, but that has to make up for the complete lack and originality and message in the lyrics - and it can't.

 

[Trifer420]

I don't mind them in fact I kind of like the band. I saw them in concert and they were great. but I can see why people say that their music is repetitive.

 

[xChevelle24]

I don't know about Dragonforce, really.

Part of me thinks, holy shit, they're crazy skilled and what-not.
Another park of me thinks, somehow, I just don't think they're songs are that good.

I must admit, Through The Fire And Flames feels like it was made just to be in a video game, and not a real song, but maybe that's just me?

I did like the song Operation Ground And Pound, because, honestly, how can a song with such a badass name be a bad song?

I haven't heard any of their newer stuff, and to be honest, I don't intend to.

I don't hate them, but I don't like, like them? I guess you could say I'm neutral.

 

[Lexodus]

Their music is repetitive, they are terrible live, it's all studio magic, just because you shred the hell out of your guitar doesn't mean you're a guitar god *cough* Yngwie Malmsteen *cough* Good music comes from great musical talent, and great songwriting, which many bands these days are terribly lacking. The only active bands I can truly believe that invest in songwriting are Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Bullet For My Valentine, Rush; the list can go on forever. The songwritng is the soul of music, that's why Led Zeppelin is the most epically beautiful music I've ever heard. Unless they get their shit together and invest in the songwriting, all they'll be remembered for when they disappear is Through The Fire And Flames.

"The only active bands I can truly believe that invest in songwriting" in the same sentence as "the list can go on forever"? You, sir, or ma'am, as the case may be, have just made an ass of yourself.

I love Dragonforce. That's all I have to say about that.

 

[internutt]

They are a great band until they became uncool when they gained a ton of fans through GH3.

TTFATF was from their THIRD album. I loved them long before that. When they performed in small time areas.

 

[Son of Makuta]

I find them hilarious. So I love them.